Garment with convertible collar

ABSTRACT

The present invention presents a garment with a convertible collar comprising of a body having a neck opening and a garment collar secured to the neck opening of the body, the garment collar comprising of a first extension comprising of a connector, the connector comprising of two or more corresponding parts, and a second extension comprising of a connector, the connector comprising of two or more corresponding parts.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed to a garment having a collar, and more particularly to a garment having a collar where the collar can be converted into a plurality of styles.

Related Art

Garments with convertible collars are well known in the apparel industry and were generally created with the intent of adding versatility to a garment. For example U.S. Pat. No. 2,810,130A discloses a means for securing a convertible collar where such securing means is concealed, and U.S. Pat. No. 1,709,285A discloses a bathing garment having a convertible collar where the collar may either be worn in an open or closed style. Both of these patents disclose garments with convertible collars, however the number of styles that these collars can form are limited.

The present invention provides a stylish garment with a convertible collar. Distinct from other convertible collar garments, the convertible collar in the present invention comprises of connectors specifically and discreetly placed such that the garment can be converted into a plurality of styles, thereby maintaining appeal as a wardrobe staple season after season without looking dated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.

The present invention is directed to a garment having a convertible collar providing the wearer with a number of versatile looks, comprising of a first extension with a connector and a second extension with a connector. The connectors each comprising of two or more corresponding parts for securing the first extension and the second extension when manipulated into a particular style. These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of example only, and not limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a garment with a convertible collar according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a sewing pattern for half of a convertible collar according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a garment with a convertible collar arranged in a bowtie style according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a garment with a convertible collar arranged in a wing spread style according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a garment with a convertible collar arranged in a slice style according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a garment with a convertible collar arranged in a half bowtie style according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a garment with a convertible collar arranged in a wing wrap style according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a garment with a convertible collar arranged in a wing fold style according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a garment with a convertible collar arranged in a ripple style according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a garment with a convertible collar arranged in a standard style according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a garment with a convertible collar arranged in a clergy style according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a garment with a convertible collar arranged in a wing tip style according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the figures, where similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout, FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a garment with a convertible collar according to an embodiment of the present invention, the collar comprising of a first extension 102 and a second extension 104. The first extension 102 having a connector, the connector comprising of two or more corresponding parts 106, 105 (shown in FIG. 2). The connector preferably comprising of magnets but may comprise of male and female connectors and fasteners, hook and eye fasteners, hook and loop fasteners, buttons, or other similar connectors typically known in the art. One or more parts of the connector are on the tip of the first extension 106 and one or more parts of the connector are on the base of the first extension 105 (shown in FIG. 2). The connectors may be secured to, detachable from, or removable from the collar. The second extension 104 is a mirror image of the first extension 102.

FIG. 2 shows a front view of a sewing pattern for half of a convertible collar according to an embodiment of the present invention. The pattern comprising of a neck length portion 110 and a first extension 102. The first extension comprising of three triangles 116, 117, 118 one or more parts of the connector at the tip 106 and one or more parts of the connector at the base 105. The one or more parts of the connector at the base 105 is located directly outside of the first triangle 116 at a distance away from the bottom of the first triangle 116 of between 0 to ½ of the length of the side of the first triangle 116. There is an ease preferably measuring approximately ¼ inch in between triangle one and triangle two 114 a and in between triangle two and triangle three 114 b, the ease 114 a, 114 b providing accountability for length lost as a result of folding, such that the folding does not reduce the preferred length of the extensions 102, 104. In a size medium garment with standard measurements of the typical size medium wearer, the triangles 116, 117, 118 preferably have a base width of approximately 2¾ inches. The sewing pattern, as shown in FIG. 2 is graded up and down according to grading techniques typically known in the art.

In some embodiments of the present invention the convertible collar 100 is detachable from the garment 101. Attachment/detachment means may comprise of zip fasteners, hook and eye fasteners, hook and loop fasteners, buttons, magnets, or other similar attachment means generally known in the art.

FIGS. 3-12 show perspective views of a garment 101 with convertible collar 100 according to the present invention where the collar is converted into a variety of styles. By way of example only, where style names are used for ease of reference and are not intended to be limiting, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a garment 101 with a convertible collar 100 where the collar is in a bowtie style. The bowtie is formed by folding the first extension 102 and the second extension 104 upwards and into the wearer's body, connecting the one or more parts of the connector on the tips 106, 108 (shown in FIG. 1) to the one or more parts of the connector on the bases 105 (shown in FIG. 2).

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a garment 101 with a convertible collar 100 where the collar is in a wing spread style. The wing spread collar is formed by folding the first extension 102 and the second extension 104 backwards, away from the center of the wearer's neck, connecting the one or more parts of the connector on the tips 106, 108 to the one or more parts of the connector on the bases 105 (shown in FIG. 2).

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a garment 101 with a convertible collar 100 where the collar is in a slice style. The slice collar is formed by extending the first extension 102 (shown in FIG. 1) across the wearer's neck, connecting the one or more parts of the connector on the tip of the first extension 106 (shown in FIG. 1) with the one or more parts of the connector on the base of the second extension (not shown), folding the tip of the second extension backwards, away from the center of the wearer's neck such that the tip of the second extension is pointing towards the wearer's shoulder.

FIG. 6 shows a garment 101 with a convertible collar 100 where the collar is in a half bowtie style. The half bowtie is formed by extending the first extension 102 (shown in FIG. 1) across the wearer's neck, connecting the one or more parts of the connector on the tip of the first extension 106 (shown in FIG. 1) with the one or more parts of the connector on the base of the second extension (not shown), folding the tip of the second extension upwards and into the wearer's body, connecting the one or more parts of the connector on the tip of the second extension 108 (shown in FIG. 1) to the one or more parts of the connector on either the base of the second extension (not shown) or on the tip of the first extension 106 (shown in FIG. 1).

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a garment 101 with a convertible collar 100 where the collar is in a wing wrap style. The wing wrap collar is formed by folding the second extension 104 (shown in FIG. 1) inwardly and under the neck length 112, connecting the one or more parts of the connector on the tip of the second extension 108 (shown in FIG. 1) with the one or more parts of the connector on the base of the second extension (not shown). Extending the first extension 102 downwards and towards the center of the wearer's body.

FIG. 8 shows a garment 101 with a convertible collar 100 where the collar is in a wing fold style. The wing fold collar is formed by extending the first extension 102 (shown in FIG. 1) across the wearer's neck, connecting the one or more parts of the connector on the tip of the first extension 106 (shown in FIG. 1) with the one or more parts of the connector on the base of the second extension (not shown), folding the tips of the second extension backwards, away from the center of the wearer's neck, connecting the one or more parts of the connector on the tip of the second extension 108 (shown in FIG. 1) to the one or more parts of the connector on the base of the second extension (not shown).

FIG. 9 shows a garment 101 with a convertible collar 100 where the collar is in a ripple style. The ripple collar is formed by holding the tips of the extensions 102, 104 and pushing them upwards and towards the wearer's body until the one or more parts of the connector on each tip 106 (shown in FIG. 1), 108 are in contact, thereafter connecting the one or more parts of the connector on each tip.

FIG. 10 shows a garment 101 with a convertible collar 100 where the collar is in a standard style. The standard collar is formed by folding the tips of the extensions inwardly and under the neck lengths 110, 112, connecting the one or more parts of the connectors on the tips 106, 108 (shown in FIG. 1) to the one or more parts of the connectors on the bases (not shown).

FIG. 11 shows a garment 101 with a convertible collar 100 where the collar is in a clergy style. The clergy collar is formed by extending the first extension 102 (shown in FIG. 1) across the wearer's neck, connecting the one or more parts of the connector on the tip of first extension 106 (shown in FIG. 1) with the one or more parts of the connector on the base of the second extension (not shown), and extending the second extension 104 across the wearer's neck over the first extension 102 (shown in FIG. 1), connecting the one or more parts on the connector on the tip of the second extension 108 with the one or more parts of the connector on the base of the first extension 105 (shown in FIG. 2).

FIG. 12 shows a garment 101 with a convertible collar 100 where the collar is in a wing-tip style. The wing-tip collar is formed by folding the extensions 102, 104 upwards, thereafter folding only the tips of the extensions 102, 104 downwards thereby connecting the one or more parts of the connectors on the tips 106, 108 to the one or more parts of the connectors on the bases (not shown).

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A garment collar comprising: a. A first extension having a tip and a base; b. A second extension having a tip and a base; and c. The first extension and the second extension each comprising of a connector, the connectors each comprising of two or more corresponding parts.
 2. A garment with a convertible collar comprising: a. A body having a neck opening; and b. A garment collar attached to the neck opening of the body, the garment collar comprising: i. A first extension having a tip and a base; ii. A second extension having a tip and a base; and iii. The first extension and the second extension each comprising of a connector, the connectors each comprising of two or more corresponding parts.
 3. The garment collar of claim 1, wherein the two or more corresponding parts of the connectors are divided between the tips and the bases.
 4. The garment with convertible collar of claim 2, wherein the two or more corresponding parts of the connectors are divided between the tips and the bases.
 5. The garment collar of claim 1, wherein the connector comprises of magnets.
 6. The garment with convertible collar of claim 2, wherein the connector comprises of magnets.
 7. The garment collar of claim 1, wherein the connector is detachable.
 8. The garment with convertible collar of claim 2, wherein the connectors are detachable.
 9. The garment with convertible collar of claim 2, wherein the garment collar is detachable from the garment. 